<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000'>Hello Neighbors,<br><br> This is an FYI for those concerned with the City of Ypsilanti. I spent almost everyday last week, including today, in meetings concerning downtown, policing, and water street and I learned a great deal. <br><br> The #1 thing you need to know is, NOW IS THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED. There are 4 committees forming which are going to shape downtown. If you have any ideas or concerns for downtown or would like to join a committee let me know or visit www.ypsilantidda.org for more information. These committees are based on volunteer efforts so I'll call on you as we need people to help. <br><br> So here are some of the things I learned --<br><br> Water Street -- things seem to be going well. There are 4 tentative proposals on the table which if all 4 are acceptable to both parties there will only be 8-10 acres left. Don't get too excited because there are a lot of details to work out and the public doesn't know what these proposals are. The point to take away is that council and the city are moving forward on this project. <br><br> Policing -- I started Citizen Police Academy http://ypsilantipolice.org/community/academy.shtml and found out the police have a lot of guns and other tools so don't try anything. The first week was basically a tour of the police station. Next week is the CoPAC meeting so I'll have information on current police issues. If you have a concern or comment let me know so I can ask about it. If you are interested in doing something like the Citizens Police Academy you can try the Huron Valley Ambulance Citizen Academy where you'll get trained in first aid and learn what the HVA does. If you have questions or want to register please call Jason Trojan at<br>(734)477-6781 or email at jtrojan@hva.org<br><br> Downtown -- The committees are forming www.ypsilantidda.org . At today's meeting there was a great group of folks ranging from local business owners, to politicians, to average citizens, about 30 in all. I am looking forward to helping move downtown forward. Some of the main issues are Parking, Signage, Business window displays - signs - and maintenance, Festival Promotion, and economic stimulus. We have a great group of business owners so make sure you support them when you can and leave feedback directly or through me. <br><br> Freight House -- From the talk I've heard, the freighthouse has been promised grant money that will be enough to firm up the building and keep it from falling in. Getting the building open and available for public use has a lot more issues but the structural issues look like they may be accomplished sooner rather than later. <br><br> 20/20 Task force -- The task force is a group of people who have come up with a report concerning the direction of the city into the year 2020. The group has been working hard over the past year and are ready to show their findings this Tuesday at 7pm in the city council chambers. I suggest going to Haabs for happy hour / dinner then going to the presentation afterwards. Council meetings and special meetings are pretty interesting so don't be poopoo them by default. Sadly, I have another meeting that night so I'll be late to the special council meeting. <br><br>There are a lot more developments that sound interesting too. <br><br>For questions or concerns in the neighborhood or the city feel free to write to me at <br>prospectparkneighborhood@comcast.net Also write me if you want to get together with neighbors at Haab's on Tuesday for their fantastic happy hour and dinner menu and then join folks for the council meeting. <br><br>Take care,<br>Kurt Anschuetz<br></div></body></html>